“Showing I can make it. That’s the main thing I’m trying to get across to the coaching staff,” Davis said of what he wants to prove in Las Vegas.

Davis said he has put in a lot of work with Townsend and feels far more comfortable when he lets fly with a jump shot or free throw.

While pleased, Casey still wants to see more from Davis and the other Raptors here.

'HARD PLAY'

“Hard play that’s the number one thing all young guys have to learn how to do. The other team started the game with a better disposition than we did,” Casey said. “Eddie came out and competed offensively and defensively in the second half and that’s what you’ve got to do in this league to be successful and that’s what I was telling them after the game. I thought if we had played the second half the way we played the first. You don’t put yourself in a 20-point hole. It’s all about your disposition to start the game.”

Casey’s regular Raptors squad had all kinds of trouble putting things together for full games last season. He’s willing to excuse brief letdowns, but they had better be brief.

With no exceptions.

“That’s what, even going into veteran’s camp, our goal is to play 44 out of the 48 minutes like our pants are on fire,” said the coach.

That’s what Davis needs. When engaged, he has played well for the club, but he hasn’t always been as locked in as they would like.

“I’m going to continue to push him, I’m not satisfied (with Davis’ ability to get) those traffic rebounds, the 50-50 fight getting in early,” but I’m really, really excited about what he’s doing shooting the basketball.”

Progress.

Meanwhile, Ross bounced back from a poor shooting game a day earlier to score 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting. He did not get to the free throw line though and wasn’t much of a threat in the fourth quarter. Ross said he was fighting fatigue after not playing so many games in a short period of time in a while.

The Raptors have Tuesday off, giving Ross a chance to bounce back for the final two games later this week.